Phase Seventy-Six: The One With the Blackout
Scarlett Bordeaux’s Smokeshow
It was that time of the week again, another edition of PCW and yet another edition of The Smokeshow. The trademark smoke began to bellow across the screen, the music fading in and getting louder every few seconds until the logo appeared upon screens everywhere. It lingered there for nearly a minute before beginning to fade, taking everything else along with it. The camera began at the feet of the woman, slowly lifting to cover every inch of the host, one Scarlett Bordeaux. She was wearing the Swarovski crystal two-piece skirt and cropped top. A smirk played upon her light pink glossed lips upon the lens reaching her face.
"Hello, fives! Welcome to another riveting episode of The Smokeshow, hosted by and starring yours truly. Last week was yet another random attempt at keeping me from our "esteemed" champion—which failed miserably. They can try and try, but soon enough I'll be one standing across from that powder puffed buffoon challenging for the PCW Championship." A soft breath left her lips as she felt confident in her abilities to seize the title the second time around.
"A moment of silence for the fallen Joey Ryan, who, met his end last week first at the hands of myself and then.. well.. you all saw what happened." Scarlett attempted to stifle her chuckle as she bowed her head for said moment of silence. Roughly fifteen seconds passed by and she would again raise her head with a smile. "Okay, okay, now back to what's important here! Me!" She allowed the chuckle to escape her lips now, twirling a lock of her pumpkin spice inspired hair. "There's just so much to discuss! I mean, I'm the hottest topic (literally and figuratively) in the entire business, I'm lighting the world up one photoshoot at a time, I have an incredible sex life, marriage, wow it's just amazing to Scarlett Bordeaux right now!"
The woman could go no further as she was interrupted. The blonde raised her brows in annoyance, gaze following up the ramp to Indi Hartwell upon the stage with a mic in hand and a stoic expression on her face. It’s been weeks since we’ve seen the Australian superstar showcased on the show, but it’s clear Hartwell has every intention to change that. “Welcome to another edition of the Smokeshow where Scarlett Bordeaux goes on and on about her domestic life because clearly, in PCW, what you do outside this ring is of the utmost importance.”
Hartwell made her down the ramp and climbed the apron, but she didn’t cross the ropes. She kept her eyes on Bordeaux and her smile widened. “Congrats. You beat a dick-waving buffoon, Scarlett. Everybody clap it up for Betty Boop! She did the impossible and conquered the dick flip of the doom. How...impressive.” Indi clapped for Scarlett briefly before rolling her eyes. “Let’s be real, though. Joey is an easy conquest. Don’t kid yourself into thinking you’re some hotshot because you’ve racked up some points off the weakest links of PCW.”
"Weakest links, who, are apparently still more relevant than you as they've been showcased week after week while you've been back there munching on just about anything they offer and doing all of absolutely nothing." The crowd reacted to Scarlett's insult, which just caused the buxom blonde to chuckle in the face of the woman that dared to interrupt her time in the limelight. "You are right about one thing, though. Joey was easy. A child could've contested him and beat him and yet it earned me some rather easy points to my already impressive record. How long have you been here, Indi-talks-a-lot? Hm?" The question intrigued and confused the audience for a moment or so.
As she noticed the woman about to speak, Scarlett immediately cut her off. "Don't bother actually giving me an answer because I couldn't give less of a shit." Another reaction from the crowd as Bordeaux kept her eyes fixated upon the woman standing on the apron. "I know exactly what this is, hunny. You're so desperate to put your name in lights that you thought, let me go after the biggest name this company has ever seen. It wouldn't be a half-bad plan if that star was anyone other than myself. I've proven myself time and again, my rise was damn near immediate upon my arrival in PCW. That's proof of skill, so the next time you wanna escape catering, I'll do my charity for the month and I'll grant you a chance. Just one, against me, inside this ring."
Indi let her words sink in, but the smile never left her face as she did. She had gotten under her skin. She knew that, it was written all over Bordeaux’s face. “Been here longer than you and I’ve yet to capture even slightly enough points to challenge for a title. Yeah, I won’t deny that in the slightest. And yeah, I want my name, my face, and my skill to be under the spotlights for everyone to see. Who doesn’t? If you’re not aiming to be the best, then why even lace up the boots?”
She paused for a moment and laughed to herself. “I’m not one to sit back for too long and do nothing. No, I’ve not been booked, but I’ve been busting my ass while you’ve been shaking yours. If granted the opportunity? I’d run right over you and show this company that I’m not labeled impressive for nothing. I’m one of the best and fastest rising stars in this entire business and it’s about time PCW got a taste of what Indi Hartwell can really do. If you’re so damn good, Scarlett, let’s see it next week. No silly smokeshows, no more parading around in your tablecloth capes—just you and me in the ring.”
Indi didn’t wait for an answer. She hopped down from the apron, making her way back up the ramp with nothing, but pure confidence on display. She had just called out a top talent and clearly she felt she could keep up. This was it, this was her time to step up and stand out, and she didn’t care if it was at the expense of Bordeaux.
Being the tormentor that she was, Scarlett couldn't help but to playfully fall asleep and wake herself up a number of times during the speech Indi decided to give her. It was obvious she wasn't paying attention in the slightest and most would attribute that to her cocky nature of behavior. Nothing was ever that simple with Scarlett and it baffled her others hadn't figured that out. Once the woman was finished speaking, Bordeaux could be heard chuckling into the microphone. The tone in her voice unimpressed, as she shifted to words.
"Yeah because I haven't that entire speech a million and three times before you. Keep walking away sweetie, I can see why you're mad at my "ass shaking", considering there's nothing for you to shake." Once again she was heard chuckling into the microphone before settling herself. "Well fives, that was another episode of The Smokeshow. Tune in next week as Scarlett Bordeaux makes yet another bitch famous. Toodles, mwuah!" She dropped the microphone in the center of the ring before dancing to her music, mostly to rub Indi's words into her face. It was more than apparent she didn't care what anyone thought about her, after all, the results speak for themselves. She exited the ring slowly, music booming as the smoke and logo combination once again filled the screens of the PCW faithful.
UIC Pavilion
Priscilla Kelly vs Paige
Paige chops the chest early on and tries for the RamPaige, but Kelly battles her way out and reversed into a Russian Legsweep. She floats into the pin for the one count. She slams Paige’s head back against the mat before crawling onto the woman with a devious smile on her face. She leans over and licks the side of Paige’s face before slapping her hard. The Englishwoman is stunned, slowly getting to her feet before Kelly leaps on her back for a sleeperhold. Paige rushes the back into the corner multiple times.
Kelly remains on the top turnbuckle and tries to kick her opponent, but Paige grabs the leg and drags her down to the mat. She hooks the leg for a close two count. Paige gains some momentum, rebounding off the ropes for a knee strike as Priscilla is on her knee. She follows up with a La Magistral pin, getting the two count. They both stand and lock up, but Paige gets the front headlock for a double undertook suplex. She gets to her feet, screeching “THIS IS MY HOUSE!” at the top of her lungs. She looks to capitalize, but Kelly sends her through the ropes.
Priscilla races forward and misses the shoulder block. Paige grabs the hair and connects with multiple knee strikes before yanking Priscilla onto the apron. She tries for a suplex, but Kelly battles her way out and slaps the face before dropping Paige with German suplex to the apron. She rolls back in as the referee starts the count. Paige tries to get to her feet, getting up by five. She slowly rolls back into the ring, but Kelly is quickly on her and traps the woman in the grounded octopus stretch to eventually tap her out.
Priscilla celebrates with her title before heading the ramp. She holds the belt up high, her back turned to the curtains. Big mistake because Hendrix comes racing out with a chair to the back. Kelly drops to her knees, but she continues to drill strike after strike into the back until the woman couldn’t stand. Taeler then sticks the head between the folds of the chair and stomps the boot down. Kelly chokes and squirms on the floor in agony. The redhead grins as she stands over the woman’s withering frame, arms stretched out wide. “Haul Hendrix!” She shouts before making her exit, not once looking back as Priscilla continues to lie in pain.
Phil Jackal vs Seth Rollins
Jackal awaits his opponent in the ring. Moments passed before Tyler Black, better known as Seth Rollins, made his awaited debut. Black made his way to the ring as Phil watched him closely, soaking in the applause of the fans. As the bell rings, the two shake hands before Phil pulls him into a front headlock. He quickly hooks the arms for an underhook facebuster for the pin. Tyler quickly kicks out, but eats a soccer kick to the back. Jackal rebounds off the ropes and kicks the back of the head for yet another pin. Tyler kicks out at two.
Phil has him up and whips him into the ropes, but Black rebounds with a slingblade. Jackal stands and Black races in for a float over DDT. He quickly transitions into the pin for a one count. Tyler has Jackal by the arm, yanking him up for a back suplex. Jackal lands on his feet and grabs the arm to spin him around into a rolling forearm. Stunned, Tyler is easily raised onto the shoulders before racing forward to toss his face into the turnbuckle. Jackal races in and lands a jumping knee before slinging Black to the mat for the pin. Tyler kicks out at a near three count.
As the match continues, Tyler manages to escape a suplex and land on his feet for a backstabber. He gets the La Magistral pin for the two count. The two stand and Jackal goes for the frankensteiner, but Black manages to hold him up powerbombs him into the corner. Tyler quickly drags him out the ring for the pedigree, but Jackal sends him up and over to the mat. As the mat progresses, Austin Aries makes his way to the ramp. He has a chair with him and simply unfolds it before sitting down to watch. Jackal looks on for a moment too long and Tyler rolls him to get the three count and his first point.
Phil slams his hand on the mat in frustration as Aries continues to look on with a smirk. He makes his way down the ramp with the chair in hand, pushing past Black. Jackal was on guard immediately, but Austin never entered the ring. He remained on the apron with a sinister smile as Phil watches him intensely. Neither man took his eye off one another.
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Question Everything
Mike steps into his office with an exasperated sigh. He shuts the door and tosses his keys onto the desk before turning the swivel chair around. The man immediately jumps back, hip colliding with the corner of the desk, as Taya is already seated with the most devilish grin on her face. Aside from the red streaks mixing with golden strands, she seemed perfectly normal. Smug look on her face, ridiculously high heels, furry, red coat—classic Taya. The gigantic, black shades covering her eyes made it difficult discern if they were normal or not, but it’s not like he could race out of there in time if they weren’t. The grin on her face said it all for her. Run and I’ll catch you. Run from me and you’re dead. He gulped as he assumed she was staring right at him, the smile only widening to expose two rows of pearly whites.
Taya didn’t say anything for a while. Her nails lightly tapped against the fabric of her black jeans as she clearly sat in concentration. He finally cleared his throat to speak. “How—“
“I believe I told you if I wanted to get in here, I could at any time. Thought I was joking?” She removes her shades and her eyes were back to normal. No black spheres, no empty gaze—she was human for now. “Am I in your seat?” She asks while pointing down towards the chair. “I can move.”
“No...no that’s okay. I can stand,” He croaked without taking his eyes off her. There was no way he was going to challenge her on that. She could rip his spine from his back at any moment. He just knew she was waiting on him to do something, anything, out of line to provoke that beast. He gulped again, knowing that thing hadn’t left her since last time.
She was here for a reason, though. He wanted to know what it was, at least. Surely, she wouldn’t mind telling. It’s Taya, after all. Taya loves to boast about any and everything. Even her sinister intentions. “Why are you here?” The rise of a brow and tilt of her head conveyed confusion. Then Taya wrinkled up her nose in disgust, as if she were revolted by the question. As if he should already know. “To deliver a message...” For a moment, he could’ve sworn her eyes turned black and he blinked them away in the next moment. “Not for you, though.” She slowly rises from the chair and he inches back from the desk. His hands were sweaty, fingers slipping against each other as he clenched them.
Taya dragged her nails along the wood as she rounded the corner. The room suddenly started to tremble. It was like another earthquake tumbled through the building as before. Photos fell off the walls, desk cracked apart, the monitors shorted, the lights blew out one by one, and Mike could feel a splitting headache start to form. It brought him nothing short of agony and he covered his ears as blood begin to trail from them. Mike continued to step away from her until his back was planted against the wall. He fumbled for the knob beside him, making it extremely clear the state of fear he was in. He wanted nothing more than to get away from this monster. Everything that was happening is because of her and that thing. “Get away, Mike... Get out of here...” He mumbled to himself as he closed his eyes tight.
“Get away from what?” She asked and her words seemed like a knife cutting through the chaos that was occurring...or was it? He opened his eyes and the room was normal. Nothing was broken, the monitors were fine, the quaking has stopped, and she stood only inches from him with a concerned expression. “Get away from me?”
Taya looked as normal as ever, yet he didn’t feel safe around her. The atmosphere was heavy, damn near crushing him under the weight of it. She smiled and put a palm against the door before leaning forward until they were only inches apart. He could hear her nails digging deep into the wood just inches from his head. “Quack?” “....h-huh?”
“Breathe already. If was going to kill you, you’d already be dead.” She slams her palm against the door suddenly and Mike flinches so hard, he backs against the wall again. Valkyrie laughed and shoved him aside as she made her way out the door. “It’s good to be back!” He heard her shout from the down the hall. Mike slide down the wall until he was cradled against it on the floor.
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José Martínez vs Corvus (With Vipress)
Corvus locks up with Martinez and they struggle for control. José eventually trips the man up and sends him on his back before running the ropes. He leap frogs over Corvus and handsprings off the ropes for a cutter. He hooks the leg for a one count. Corvus quickly rolls out of the ring and Vipress comforts him. The referee gives them a warning and starts the count, but José leaps over the ropes with a senton to take out Corvus. Vipress hisses at him as he yanks the champion to his feet. The referee gives her a warning while Martinez sends Corvus into the ring.
Vipress is on the apron and grabs the arm to force him around. The referee is on her again as José stares the woman down. Corvus quickly gets behind him with a double undertook suplex into the bridged pin. Martinez kicks out at two, but eats a sliding kick to the chest as he starts to stand. Corvus follows up with multiple punches to the face, trying to knock José out with blind fury. The luchadora manages to escape and gets the overhead arm drag as Corvus advances. The champion is stunned as he stands and runs right into spinning back suplex. José hooks the leg, but Corvus kicks out at two.
Corvus crawls into the ropes and José tries to yank him off, but Vipress grabs the arms to keep him by the ropes. The referee catches her and wastes no time arguing with her yet again while Martinez has his arms around the waist. Corvus elbows him back and rakes the eyes before getting the boot to the face. Martinez is stunned while the champion plants him with a half-Nelson suplex into the pin. One...two...t—José still kicks out. Corvus tries to follow up, but Martinez rolls him up for a close count. Corvus misses a clothesline and José counters into a neckbreaker. José quickly scales the top and leaps off for the frog splash, hooking the leg for the thre—Vipress literally drags him from the ring.
The referee calls off the match as she sends him into the barricade. The woman strikes him down with multiple punches, but fights back. He sends her into the apron before slamming her face down. Martinez then lifts her up and drops the back onto the barricade. Corvus uses the distraction to attack from behind and send José into the ringpost face first. The champion helps up his partner and they retreat up the ramp as Martinez tries to gain his bearings.
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Every Word Means No
Tyler was pacing back and forth, frustrated with his loss last week. His solitude was disturbed moments later as Indigo came into view. He glanced at her before ignoring her immediately after, but she refused to move. “I get you’re pissed, but you need to focus. One loss is nothing compared to whatever the hell they have planned.”
“Easy for you to say. Majority of your career has been spent having your hand held by somebody better than you. I am the standard in PCW and to lose like that last week was humiliating. It shouldn’t have happened.”
Indigo does her best to ignore his insult and breathes out heavily. She rubs her temple for a moment before calming herself. As she did, she thought she heard something just behind Breeze. The woman pushed by him and had her eyes heavily focused on the hall. “What is—“
“Shut up...” Indigo listener for several moments, but she heard nothing else. The woman slowly turned back to him with a stern expression. “Do you want to beat these guys or not?” Breeze had stopped pacing at this point, looking down the hall just as she had, but says nothing. “We need to work together, get our own team. It’s the only to way to match their strength.”
“Team with who? In case you forgot, I hate everyone and everyone hates me. Besides, teaming up got me screwed last week. José was completely useless.”
“It was your first tag match together. Stop being a big baby.”
“A baby? Excuse you, uggo! How da—“
“Bickering like children will get you nowhere,” Black says as he creeps out of the shadows.
“So that’s who I heard before,” Indigo says with a frown. “Spying on us?”
“I only just arrived. If I were sneaking, you would have never heard me in the first place” He pauses for a moment, looking between the two with a smirk. “While I think the both of you lack much intelligence, it would be unwise to deny your strengths. Those...things cost me twice now and I will not let this go by unpunished. I am more than willing to plunge into the fires of Hell and come out with their heads in my hand, but it is only possible with an alliance.” He looks between the two and they share a glance.
“The three of us aren’t enough,” Indigo says. “But Natalya and Frankie clearly have a reason to fight back.” “Taeler, too...” Tyler says with some disgust. “Much as I hate her, it’s the best we got right now.”
“Then let’s make haste...” Black comments before turning on his heels.
As all three make their way down the hall, the camera lingers. It focuses on a nearby corner and sure enough, a face peers out from around it. The doll had been listening closely. It watched as they went down the hall with a blank stare. It shook it head slowly and it quickly made off in the opposite direction to report its findings.
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Mitchell Knight vs Shane "Swerve" Strickland
Shane gets the armlock early on, but Knight flips out of it reverses into a headlock. He gets the takedown, but Scott gets the legs around the head for the headscissors. Mitchell kips up and tries for a kick, but Strickland ducks and rolls him up. Knight rolls through and they’re both up for the double dropkick before kipping up together. The crowd applauds them as they lock up once again, Scott forcing Mitchell into the corner. He drives multiple kicks into the abdomen before going for the monkey flip. Knight flips over and lands on his feet, but eats a step-up enziguri as he turns around.
Knight drops to his knee and Swerve connects with the basement huracarrana for the two count. He has Knight up and whips him into the ropes. The former champion slides between the legs and leg sweeps the newcomer before following up with a standing moonsault. He hooks the leg, but can only get a two count. Mitchell immediately transitions into an armbar as he puts the knee into the back. Swerve doesn’t tap, but struggles to get his foot to the ropes. Mitchell eventually yanks Swerve up by the arm, but is caught with an arm drag. Scott tries to land a big boot, but Knight blocks it and slings the leg back to force him down to the mat.
Knight rolls through over the back and grabs the legs for the cloverleaf submission. Scott lifts himself up the mat and manages to get under the competitor to escape and kick him back. Knight tries for the rolling forearm, but Scott ducks under it and gets the Northern Lights Suplex. He flips over and transitions into the guillotine submission. Mitchell doesn’t dare tap, but he was losing conscious fast. The man desperately rolls over until they’re in the ropes, forcing the break. Mitchell chops the chest and backs Swerve into the corner. He lifts him up and starts the climb. Scott battles back against him, but eats a forearm. Mitchell goes for the huracarrana, but Swerve manages to hang on. He climbs up and quickly gets the Swerve Stomp to put Mitchell away for his first point.
It doesn’t end there, however, as MJF makes his way down the ramp. He slides into the ring, knocking down Scott from behind. He beats down on the newcomer and slings him into the ringpost. Strickland tumbles out of the ring as Maxwell focuses on Mitchell. He drives stomp after stomp into the chest and yanks the man up before slinging him onto the apron. Knight tries to fight back with a forearm, but MJF blocks it and knees the gut before dropping him with the South Hamptons Plunge DDT onto the apron.
Knight lies still on the apron as MJF demands a mic. He sits on the apron with a disgruntled expression. “I worked my ass off in that gauntlet match JUST for Mike Quackenbush to screw me by letting this weasel, this pauper, walk-in and steal my victory. Mike thinks he can play games with me, but I am the last person you want to tick off. I could wipe out this entire roster at the snap of my fingers, if I wanted to...but I’ll start with this piece of garbage.” He shoves Knight off the apron and laughs before wiping his hands on his scarf, disgusted that he had to touch him.
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Angel of the Morning
It was too cold for her liking as the small Sabre twin made her way through the corridors. Exhaustion clearly written across her features as she tugged the jacket onto her body tighter. The jacket she wore belonged to Spike. No, not the silly doll. The real Spike. Her Spike. The one who kept her safe and chased off all the bad thoughts. The one who made her darkest days into the brightest one. What was she even doing going down here? Well, maybe if she tried hard enough, she would get exactly what she wanted.
No matter how her nerves may have wanted to overflow and spill out into a gross puddle of mush, or perhaps vomit, she steeled those nerves. Seeking out a certain someone as she glanced around wearily. The noises and sounds echoing around the underground place she had found herself inside of. She had been here before, at least, she remembered being here before. Maybe she was imagining things. Maybe that shadow over there hadn’t been moving. Maybe she was just being paranoid. Maybe she—
“Zara.” The cold and calculating male stands in her path now, arms folded across his chest as he blankly stares at the small female. She nearly tumbles backwards in her haste, but stops herself from appearing too shaken up. She knows if she gave him anymore ammunition from her own fear, she would be toast. She cleared her throat, snuggling a bit deeper into the jacket she wore. “Is there something you needed? We are all quite very busy lately. In case you seemed to not have noticed.” His tone is cold, something that prickles Zara’s skin with goosebumps as she straightens herself out.
“I want to see him.” She pauses, licking over pink lips as she clicks her tongue in frustration. She inhales a gentle breath, recollecting her thoughts for a moment. “No, scratch that. I want him back.” She’s got a certain fire to her tone, unwavering and unwilling to give up. No matter how tough she tried to be, she was clearly unnerved on the inside. Pavor let out a chuckle, one full of malice and not a single hint of humor behind it. He brought both arms from around his chest, clapping slowly and full of mockery before he turned his gaze back towards the woman.
“Unfortunately, you will have to be a bit more specific. Who is this “he” you are asking about?” The sinister smirk across his lips makes her want to reach out and slap it off of his face. No, she wants to punch it off of his face. Repeatedly. Over and over and over again. But, she closes her eyes as she stills all signs of anger. A gentle exhale as her eyes flutter open and fall upon the tall and slender male. “Spike. My Spike. Not that silly doll. I want my Spike back. I know you know the real truth. I know you do. I’m almost one hundred per cent certain that you do and that—“ He cuts her off abruptly, raising a single hand up in a way as to silence her and she does.
Pavor clears his throat, lips twitching at the corner in a slight way. He’s cunning, so intelligent and always willing to do what he deems is right. “I’m afraid I cannot do that. You see, every action has its consequences. You reap what you sow, Zara. Isn’t that correct?” He grows silent for a moment and she’s almost ready to throw in the towel. But, Pavor seems to have another thought as that blank and emotionless look crosses his features once again. Zara doesn’t like it, she hates how he stares at her as if he’s looking right into whatever soul it is that she has.
“Although, I could be a little more willing to help. Though, it’s not a suggestion you will like.” He grows quiet, allowing his words to sink in as Zara tucks her hands into the jacket pockets. “What suggestion? I’ll do anything to get him back. To save him from the damnation brought upon him when you know that none of—“ Pavor abruptly cuts her off, this time with more words. “Join us.” His words are simple, straight to the point as she suddenly swallows hard. “W-What?” Her mouth is suddenly dry, knowing fully well what he meant when he told her to join them.
“Join The Fourth Circle. It’s the only way you’ll ever be able to be so close to him again. Isn’t that what you want? To save him? To pretend as if things had never gotten this bad? To pick up the pieces left behind?” Each word strikes her like a knife. Over and over and over again. She’s surprised she hasn’t passed out from the anxiety and stress that riddles her to the core. “Of course, it is just a suggestion after all. Though, it is your choice in the end.” Zara squeezes her hands into fists, nails digging so tightly into her palms that she draws blood. Some drops hitting the floor as she bites her tongue to keep from lashing out.
“Screw you! I’d never join your pathetic group. I’ll find another way to save him. There’s always another way.” She glares daggers at the man for a few moments, suddenly turning on her heel and walking briskly away. “Do not forget what I offered you, Zara. There is always room here for you.” His voice echoes off of the walls as she shakes her head, almost considering his words, only almost.
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Rocket Stars vs Heart2Hart
Arisa locks up with Frankie and gets the arm drag before kicking her back. Frankie winces in pain, but doesn’t have time to recuperate as Hoshiki rebounds off the ropes for a stiff kick to the chest. She hooks the leg for a one count. Hoshiki has Frankie on her side and bends the arm all the way back before stomping on it. She drags the woman to her corner and tags in Blake. The two connect with a double snapmare rebounding off the ropes for double knee strikes to the head. Jenny covers Frankie for a two count. She sits Frankie up and rebounds off the ropes for a neck twist, but Frankie lies back and rolls up the luchadora in a victory roll pin. She kicks out at two.
They both stand and Jenny misses the roundhouse only to eat a backbreaker as Frankie lifts her up high and drops the back across the knee. She tags in Natalya and Frankie double stomp and Natalya follows up with the stomp to the back of the head into the dropkick to hook the leg. Jenny kicks out at two. Neidhart has her around the waist in a bear hug and lifts Blake off the mat before dropping her back down. She steps on the back and the back of the head before raising her arms up high. “Yaaay!” Natalya shouts to the boos of some of the fans. Jenny is unable to escape as Natalya stomps down on the back multiple times. She looks to tie up the legs, but Blake quickly drags herself to the ropes. She’s able to kick Natalya off her and get to her feet for a springboard huracarrana. Natalya goes flying and Blake gains momentum with multiple clotheslines.
Natalya tries for the big boot, but Jenny ducks and gets her with the neckbreaker for a close count. Just as the match was heating up, the Fourth Circle make their way through the crowd and into the ring. They drag Frankie from ringside, dropping her face on the apron while beating down on Natalya. Pavor glares at Rocket Stars and both women slink out of the ring. He commands Spike and the doll to lift Natalya to her knees. They hold her arms while Kelly kicks the face hard. On the outside, Frankie is torn apart by Vipress and Corvus. It doesn’t take long for backup to rush into the ring. Tyler, Aleister, Indigo, José, and Taeler race to their aid. The ring is filled with talents throwing punches and kicks. Quackenbush races out with security to stop the mayhem, managing to break them up, but the tension was still high in the air. Mike couldn’t seem to get either side to abandon their desire to fight. “Look, I know tensions are high and you all just want to beat each other up, but I refuse to let this nonsense continue.”
The fans boo him heavily, wanting to see bloodshed. “If you’re going to fight, it’s going to be sanctioned. It’ll be on my terms, not any of yours. You—“
“Actually, it’ll be on mine,” Taya says as she appears on stage. She flips back her long streaks of hair and grinned before making her way down the ramp. “You’re dismissed, Mike. I thought you could handle PCW without me, but it’s clear you have no idea what you’re doing anymore. You used to have it all together, but when I came along? That’s when real change happened and you can’t keep up.” Taya enters the ring and waves away security. “If any of you so much as spit in each other’s direction while I’m in this ring...” She stares every competitor down and smirks. “Now boys and girls, if you wanna play rough? By all means, tear each other apart.”
“Taya, wait a seco—“ Mike starts, but she holds her hand up. “I thought I told you to move it, loser. I enjoyed my extended vacation, but do not forget I own part of this company and if you want to challenge that, I can always call my lawyer. Isn’t MJF trying to sue you anyways? Might wanna deal with one thing at a time because I’d make his lawsuit look like child’s play. Get. Lost.” She stared him down and for a moment, he thought he saw those black orbs once again. He blinked and they were gone, but that didn’t stop him from slowly exiting the ring. Taya rolls her eyes and looks between both groups. “I think there’s only one way to settle this. At the end of this month, I’ll be hosting yet another marvellous, ground-breaking, and captivating SuperNova Showdown. It only makes sense that with such a huge show coming up, that a huge match should main even, soooooo...” she pauses and smiles. “We’re gonna have our own little war games, but there is a twist.”
“We can work out the details later, though. Right now...” She starts counting heads and raises a brow. “Right now, it looks like the bad guys are short a teammate. Now what are we going to do about that?” She raises a brow and looks the opposing team up and down. “Somebody will have to take one for the team and sit out.” That immediately starts up a wave of arguments, most of them directed at her. José pushes through and steps right up to Taya with a twisted frown on his face. “It’s just like you to involve yourself. No matter what it is, you need to be the centerpiece. At least be smart while you’re at it, Valkyrie. They started this and it’s only right we all finish it.” The crowd gets behind that, but Valkyrie had the ugliest expression on her face.
The two stared each other down for a long time until a smile suddenly broke out onto her face. She even started to laugh a little. “You, of all people, should be the very last person concerned about all of this because you’ll be preoccupied that night.” Valkyrie didn’t waste any time kicking José directly between the legs. The man doubles over in agony and the Fourth Circle, odds now evened, take on the other competitors. Chaos erupts around Taya and José, security back out once again to pull everyone apart and regain some kind of control. Eventually, it was just the two of them, but José had yet to recover. She kneels down until they’re face to face, bringing the mic to her lips once more. “Tú y yo tenemos asuntos pendientes.”